Helpful Hints? Really?

Helpful Hints? Really?

My Corporate office sends a health letter to the Employee’s each month. In the latest edition it had a sidebar titled Controlling Chronic Pain.Sitting in my break room at work I began to read.It started out with the statement that “If pain continues with little or no relief it can affect you physically and emotionally”.It is funny after reading this part I laughed ~ I don’t know why but I heard my Mom’s voice clearly in my head saying “No Shit Sherlock”!My voice – No Duh!I continued reading ~“Some pointers to keep in mind”…1. Seek treatment early.2. Keep a pain journal.3. Write down questions before you go to the Doctor.I reacted in my typical response to obvious statements like these .. I sighed heavily and rolled my eyes.Sure these are good ideas. But they are not earth shattering “new” ideas for those of us having Chronic pain conditions.Then the last pointer; I had to control myself when reading this one.“If past treatments have failed, don’t get discouraged.There are other pain management treatments to try.Although your pain might not go away completely, you may be able to reduce the pain so its bearable.”Are they serious? Did they really say “don’t get discouraged”? Sure ~ Easy for the writer to say.“other pain management treatments?” ~ we know .. We have tried them all.“reduce the pain so its bearable” ~ How can 24/7 pain at any level be bearable?I understand that in these sidebars they have a small space to use to write their “helpful hints”.Personally, here is what I would do with the Sidebar;Ask a person dealing with Chronic Pain;What to expect when trying to find what could work for you?List suggestions on what alternative treatments are available?What questions should you ask the Doctor?How do you keep a pain journal?Most importantly: